Pope Francis reforms Vatican's legal system

Context

ROME, July 11 (RAPSI, Natalia Shmakova) - Pope Francis has reformed the Vatican's legal system, cancelling life imprisonment, setting the longest possible prison term at 30-35 years, and introducing the terms "torture" and "crimes against humanity."

He has also bolstered criminal legislation against child abuse, the Holy See's press service reported on Thursday.

The Vatican said in a statement that Pope Francis has issued a Motu Proprio on criminal law matters and administrative sanctions within Vatican City State and the Holy See, and that the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State has adopted three relevant laws.

These laws are the next step in the efforts which Pope Benedict launched in 2010 to bring the Vatican legal system in line with international law, in particular with regard to countering money laundering and international terrorism.

Furthermore, the laws also include the provisions of numerous international conventions on the conduct of war and war crimes, racial discrimination, torture, the rights of the child, and corruption.

Corriere della Sera points to the huge importance of the ongoing reform, noting that the Vatican legal system has not been amended since 1929.

17:51 11/07/2013 Pope Francis has reformed the Vatican's legal system, cancelling life imprisonment, setting the longest possible prison term at 30-35 years, and introducing the terms "torture" and "crimes against humanity."

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